CliffB Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 Hi All My offering will be this, converted to a 1f using a spare Frog belly gun pack. Decals from the FCM Battle of Britain sheet. More details and photos nearer the time... Cheers Cliff
AnonymousDFB1 Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 I'm gonna be following this one Cliff always fancied building a Blenheim
AnonymousFO98 Posted July 17, 2010 Posted July 17, 2010 Ooh Nice. Always fancied a Blenheim meself especially a Mk1. Abandoned the idea of converting an Airfix kit so will be good to see how this one builds.
CliffB Posted July 18, 2010 Author Posted July 18, 2010 Having just got back from Maplins (yes, got one of those photobooth thingys), here are the sprue shots. The parts look finely moulded and initial impressions are that this should be an enjoyable and stress-free build (but then again, I always think that)! Along with the plastic parts there are some nice resin bits and a small PE fret. In the bottom right-hand corner is the Frog gun pack, while the decals come from a variety of sources. I'll probably be starting this mid August, once I've got my Trimotor finished for the Airliner GB (OK, so maybe September) Cliff
ben_m Posted July 18, 2010 Posted July 18, 2010 There are a number of tricky things to overcome with this kit- the canopy is a big issue. This thread should give you the heads-up on what to expect: http://www.aeroscale.co.uk/modules.php?op=...5066&page=1
CliffB Posted July 18, 2010 Author Posted July 18, 2010 Thanks Ben That thread should prove invaluable. Looks like I should be starting sooner, rather than later though, if I'm going to make the GB completion deadline Cliff
CliffB Posted August 5, 2010 Author Posted August 5, 2010 I don't know if this counts as a 'start', but I have at least had a good look the kit to see whether I'm going to have to deal with the same problems as in Ben's link. The good news is mostly not, as the quality of moulding of the smaller parts is much better on my kit and now I'm pre-warned, fitting the canopy shouldn't be too bad. The one significant issue is that the depth of canopy seems to be assymetric. One the port side the fuselage canopy is a couple of mm shallower than on the starboard. Unfortunately, both sides of the canopy are 'deep' - so fits the port side perfectly, but is too long on the starboard. The author in Ben's link appears to have cut the starboard fuselage down to match the port. I'm not sure this is right though? The few photos I've found on the internet seem to show that the assymetry is correct, so it should be the canopy which is cut back. Does anyone confirm this please? I've also been trying to find out a bit more about this particular Blenheim. Not much success in finding info, although it obviously survived the BoB as it was ultimately written off in an overshoot on 29th March 1943 (at Stroxton, Leics while serving with RAF 12 PAFU). Again if anyone else can contribute on this, I'd be pleased to hear. Cheers Cliff
Obi-Jiff Kenobi Posted August 9, 2010 Posted August 9, 2010 I've got a few MPM Blenheims in the stash, so I'll be following this for some tips. Great to see this oft-neglected aeroplane getting a bit of recognition. Obi-Jiff
CliffB Posted September 2, 2010 Author Posted September 2, 2010 I've finally been able to make a real start with the Blenheim and have been having 'fun' trying to get the cockpit built and and canopy/fuselage sides fettled to get a reasonable fit. As you warned me, there are indeed quite a few fit problems in these areas (despite my initial optimism). I toyed briefly with the idea of getting an aftermarket PE fret for additional cockpit details, but in the end decided to go straight OOB. The result looks pleasingly 'busy' (particularly when viewed through the canopy), although I'm sure is not 100% accurate. Next up is the canopy itself - looking forward to seeing what delights that holds! Cliff
Seahawk Posted September 2, 2010 Posted September 2, 2010 Looking very nice. Your very tidy painting really sets the details off.
rowmk9 Posted September 3, 2010 Posted September 3, 2010 That interior looks very very nice. should be more than sufficent once the nose glazing is in place.
CliffB Posted September 4, 2010 Author Posted September 4, 2010 Many thanks for your comments guys. It's been the glazing this afternoon and at this precise moment I'm thinking 'OMG, what have I done?' The injection moulded glazing comes in three parts: front left, front right and rear. Despite my best efforts at trimming and dry fitting, it quickly became apparent that I was going to have two pretty glaring problems: 1) Unsightly steps between the various bits of glazing and the fuselage. 2) Moulded frame lines on the front portions that do not line up with the cut-outs on the fuselage sides. I decided that the best course of action would be to stick everything firmly in place as best as I could and then launch a blitzkrieg with the sanding sticks. Here's the result ... At least the canopy is still in one piece, thanks I think to some hefty joint reinforcing which I added to the bottom half of the glazed parts (which will ultimately be painted over). Next will be the slow polishing process to (hopefully), bring everything back to shiney transparentness - but not before I've ordered some Eduard canopy masks to make life a little easier now that the moulded framework was been obliterated. Fingers crossed. Cliff
rowmk9 Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 That's quite a brave pill you've swallowed there! It'll need a mean bit of buffing to look shiny and new again. Is there any special technique or product that you'll be using to return it to normality?
CliffB Posted September 4, 2010 Author Posted September 4, 2010 Hi Rowan I shall be using steadily finer grades of Micromesh polishing clothes (used wet), followed by the mandatory coat of Klear. A job for in front of the TV tonight, I think - quite therapeutic, provided everything goes OK! Cliff
CliffB Posted September 5, 2010 Author Posted September 5, 2010 The result of half-an-hour's mindless polishing while watching Grosse Pointe Blank. Who said men can't multi-task? P.S. no Klear required. Cliff
Seahawk Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 The result of half-an-hour's mindless polishing while watching Grosse Pointe Blank.Who said men can't multi-task? P.S. no Klear required. Cliff Wow! My gob is smacked: a spectacular bit of repolishing to achieve such clarity, even without Klear. Up till then your experiences with the canopy joints had completely put me off the MPM Blenheim I.
FZ6 Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 Looking good so far. Nice job with polishing the canopy. It looks really clear. Looks like it will be a great build.
Obi-Jiff Kenobi Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 That looks great, Cliff. Almost makes me want to start one of mine! Obi-Jiff
rowmk9 Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 Thats turned out just lovely. This is shaping up into a super build
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